Every year, National Vaccination Day or National Immunization Day is observed in India on March 16 with an aim to spread awareness about the importance of vaccines in the healthcare system. The day is observed to create awareness regarding how effective vaccinations are to prevent deadly diseases.
The Government of India observes March 16 as National Vaccination Day. The day was first celebrated in 1995 with the government launching Pulse Polio Immunisation programme to fight polio.
On March 16, 1995, the first dose of the oral polio vaccine was given under the World Health Organization’s (WHO) campaign which started in 1988. ‘Do Boond Zingaki Ki’ – a campaign was launched by the government in 1998 to spread awareness about the benefits of vaccination.
Vaccines are key for the prevention of viruses and diseases. Vaccines provide immunity to the body. With vaccines, several diseases and viruses like COVID-19, chicken pox, tetanus, rubella, and polio are prevented.
